Maghw festival
The Maghw festival is a post-harvest festival of the Bodos. It is a community festival celebrated annually in every village when the entire village is lightened from the fieldwork. It is observed from the first day of Magh (January-February). This festival is
also known as Domashi. It is also performed in commemoration of those who are dead.
On the last day of Push month, the Bodo womenfolk fry different type of pulses, such as sibing (sesame), sobai, mugu, etc.,and a little quantity of these are sprayed at the cow
shed at night. Besides, to entertain the relatives and friends, they make varieties of eatable pithas (cakes), such as pitha aasi, pilha enthab, pitha lawdum, etc. They also mark around the walls of the granary and Nomano, main house with a mixture of cow dung and water. On this occasion, the members of the family use to tie with the rope of tharai (a kind of plant) around the fruit bearing trees of their house, commonly jackfruit
tree, mango tree, areca-nut tree, coconut tree, etc. It is usually believed by the Bodos that the trees have also life and bear more fruits.
In celebration of this festival, another important feature is the construction of 'Belagur' by cowherds or young men of the village either on the river bank or in the post harvesting field. The Belagur is made from the paddy straws, dried banana leaves and bamboo poles. A night is spent at field near the Belagur amidst merrymaking,dancing and singing songs. In the early morning, the Belagur is burnt and prayer is offered to the fire of the Belagur by singing a song for the well being of their cattle and for the prosperity of their village. The supreme God, Bathou Bwrai is also worshiped by the Bodos on this day. The drinking of tea with pithas (cakes) and enjoying, singing and dancing are the common features of this festival. This festival is also followed by the adherents of the Brahma cult by burning "Ahuti" on the Maghw purnima (full moon) for their general welfare. The Maghw festival is very elaborate and performed with splendor and
festive manner.
also known as Domashi. It is also performed in commemoration of those who are dead.
On the last day of Push month, the Bodo womenfolk fry different type of pulses, such as sibing (sesame), sobai, mugu, etc.,and a little quantity of these are sprayed at the cow
shed at night. Besides, to entertain the relatives and friends, they make varieties of eatable pithas (cakes), such as pitha aasi, pilha enthab, pitha lawdum, etc. They also mark around the walls of the granary and Nomano, main house with a mixture of cow dung and water. On this occasion, the members of the family use to tie with the rope of tharai (a kind of plant) around the fruit bearing trees of their house, commonly jackfruit
tree, mango tree, areca-nut tree, coconut tree, etc. It is usually believed by the Bodos that the trees have also life and bear more fruits.
In celebration of this festival, another important feature is the construction of 'Belagur' by cowherds or young men of the village either on the river bank or in the post harvesting field. The Belagur is made from the paddy straws, dried banana leaves and bamboo poles. A night is spent at field near the Belagur amidst merrymaking,dancing and singing songs. In the early morning, the Belagur is burnt and prayer is offered to the fire of the Belagur by singing a song for the well being of their cattle and for the prosperity of their village. The supreme God, Bathou Bwrai is also worshiped by the Bodos on this day. The drinking of tea with pithas (cakes) and enjoying, singing and dancing are the common features of this festival. This festival is also followed by the adherents of the Brahma cult by burning "Ahuti" on the Maghw purnima (full moon) for their general welfare. The Maghw festival is very elaborate and performed with splendor and
festive manner.
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